Binder.



PATENTED AUG. 21, 1906.

F. A. CLEVELAND.

BINDER.

APPLIOATION FILED JULY 7. 1905.

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WITNESSES:

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FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.-

BINDER.

. Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 21, 1 906.

Application filed July 7, 1905. Serial No. 268,661

Be it known that I, FREDERICK A. CLEVE- LAND, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, have invented l certain new and useful Improvements in Binders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a device which may be applied to binders of the loose-leaf type, the object being to provide a device of simple construction which may be used in connection with covers or binders of this class, which may be easily operated, and which will be positive in its action. The use of binders of this description is well understood, and it is not thought necessary to enter into an explanation of their operation further than to state the principal requirement, which is that any number of pages or leaves may be inserted, replaced, or taken out without disturbing the remaining leaves.

The object of my invention is to provide a device which shall meet this requirement and accomplish the desired result by the use of a simple locking mechanism which does not require separate keys or other devices to operate the same and which shall be self-contained and operated by turning the book on one side to lock the covers in any desired position and to release the same by simply reversing the position of the book. To accomplish this result, I provide an upper and lower clamping-section, which may be attached to the covers of the binder. These clamping-sections are normally held apart by the action of the springs contained in telescoping members attached to said clamping-sections in the usual manner. Attached to one of these clamping-sections, preferably the upper, I provide a post which carries one or more sliding pawls or dogs which are adapted to engage projections on the interior of a cooperating postor casing which is secured to the lower clamping-section. This latter post or casing is adapted to telescope over the post carrying the pawls or dogs. The construction of these parts is such that when the clamping-sections are in 1the position shown in the drawings a free inward movement is permitted and the pawl or dog will operate to prevent an outward movement of the members. As the position of the covers is reversed, the pawl or dog will drop out of engagement with the outer casing into an inoperative position, allowing the clamping members to be separated by the action of the springs heretofore referred to or by other suitable means.

The construction and operation of the device will be more fully explained in connection with the drawings accompanying this speciiication.

Figure l isa perspective side elevation of a pair of clamping-sections or binder-frames with the covers and leaves of the book omitted. Fig. 2 is an enlarged side elevation in section of the post and casing carrying the locking mechanism. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation in section of a post and casing showing a modification of the locking mechanism. Fig. 4 is a detail side view of the post carrying the pawls or dogs shown in Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 at l and 2 are shown an upper and lower clamping-section, respectively, which may be attached by any suitable means to the covers of the binder, or, if preferred, the covers themselves may form the clampingsections and have the locking device attached directly thereto. At 3 3 are shown telescoping members containing springs, which operate normally to separate the clamping-sections l and 2. post, which may be attached to the upper clamping-section l by any suitable means and preferably in such a manner that it may be rotated. This may be accomplished by socketing the upper end of the post in the clamping members l, as shown, and holding the same in position by means of an ordinary fiat-head screw. This screw may be secured in the post 4 by any suitable means and by using an ordinary screw-driver in the slot thereof the post may be readily rotated in its socket. At the lower end of the post 4 is provided a recess which is preferably in the form of a slot in which is carried one or more sliding pawls, such as 5 and 5, in Fig. 2. A stop member 6 closes the lower portion of the slot and is secured therein by any suitable means, such as by the pins 6. This stop member 6 is provided with a beveled surface having a portion thereof adapted to form a stop tolimit the movement of the pawls in At A is shown a l IOO IOSV

one direction and prevent the same from binding or wedging between the post and casing. The outer edge of the pawls 5 and 5 are provided with one or more projections which are adapted to engage corresponding projections on the interior of the casing 7 `when the members stand in the position IlO shown in the drawings. When the position of the covers and attached parts is reversed, the action of gravity will cause the pawls to drop back out of engagement with the casing and allow the parts to be separated, as already described. The casing 7 may be secured, to the lower clamping member 2 by any suitable means, such as threading the same therein, as shown, or otherwise.

y Referring to the construction shown in Fig. '3, a pair of sliding pawls 5 and 5/ are provided with slots 7 and 7/,respectively- These slots are adapted to engage a pin 6'", which forms a guide for the pawls and operates in conjunction with a stop member 6,

' which is provided with a beveled portion and stop to throw the pawls into and out of engagement with the casing 7 as the position of the members is reversed, as already described. In Fig. 3 the members are shownin the locked position and are prevented from being separated -by the pawls which engage the projections on the interior of the casing. The upper member may be pressed down and the leaves will be clamped and held between .the clamping membersl 1 and 2. Upon reversing the position of the covers gravity will cause the pawls to drop to the opposite end of the slot in the lower end of the post 4, in which position they will be out of engagement with the casing, and the clamping members may be separated by the action of the springs in the telescoping members 3, or otherwise, to permit of the removal and replacing of the leaves, as desired.

In the construction shown in Fig. 2 the pawls are operated by gravity against the beveled faces of the stop member 6, which operates to throw the pawls outwardly into such a position that the projections from the outer portion thereof will engage the corresponding projections on the interior of the casing 7. The object of providing a portion of this beveled surface to operate as a stop to limit the movement of the pawls has been already explained. In the construction shown in Fig. 3 the pawls are operated in a similar manner and, in addition,eachpawl is provided with a slot which engages a pin in the post 4. The obj ect of providing this pin and slot is to insure a more positive movement of the pawls inwardly and out of engagement with the casing when the position of the covers isreversed. The pin and slot in this case act as a guide for the pawls, and the beveled portion of the stop member 6 operates as before to throw the pawls outwardly into engagement with the casing 7. This beveled surface is provided with a stop portion to limit the movement of the pawls, as already described. The projections or serrations on the interior of the casing are preferably in the form of a screw-thread or spiral and the projections on the outer surface of the pawl are made correspondingly. The object of this is to permit of a further tightening of the covers after the same have been pressed down upon the leaves. This may be effected by rotating the post carrying the pawls by the use of a screwdriver in the slot of the screw at the upper end of said post, or a knurled head may be provided to vallow the same to be turned by hand or by other suitable means. To release the pawls from engagement with the casing when the position of the covers is reversed itis sometimes necessary to press the same together slightly to relieve the pressure and allow the pawls to drop baclr by the action of gravity into an inoperative position.

It will be noted that the device herein shown and described as an illustration of an operative embodiment of my invention is composed of a very small number of parts and that such parts are of a simple construction and may be easily and cheaply manufactured. It will also be noted that the device when assembled is very compact in form and that the operating parts are self-contained within the same. the exact details of construction shown and described, as it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made therein to adapt the device to its several uses without departing from the scope of myinvention.

What I claim is- I do not confine myself, however, to

l. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein attached to one of said clamping members, a sliding pawl or dog carried by said post in said recess in such a manner that a portion of the wall of said recess forms a stop to limit the movement of said pawl or dog toward its operative position, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

2. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, a sliding pawl or dog carried by said post in said slot in such a manner that a portion of a wall thereof forms a stop to limit the movement of said pawl or dog toward its operative position, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described. j

3. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a vpost having a slot at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, a sliding pawl or dog car ried by said post in said slot, a stop member secured to said post in said slot and having a portion thereof adapted to form a stop to limit the movement of said pawl or dog toward its operative position, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

ICO

4. In a binder, the Combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein, said recess having a Wall thereof formed at an angle With the center line of the post and having a portion of said Wall adapted to form a stop, a sliding paWl or dog carried by said post in said recess and adapted to engage said angular Wall of said recess and to have the movement thereof toward its operative position limited by said stop, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

5. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members and having a slot therein, a stop member secured to said post in said slot and having a portion thereof formed at an angle with the center-line of the post and having a portion thereof adapted to form a stop, a sliding paWl or dog carried by said post in said slot and adapted to engage said angular portion of said stop member and to have the movement thereof toward its operative position limited by said stop, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

6. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein attached to one of said clamping members, a plurality of sliding pavvls or dogs carried by said post in said recess in such a manner that portions of said recess form stops to limit the movement of said pavvls or dogs to- Ward their operative position,a casing secured to the other of said clamping members, and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

7. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot therein attached to one of said clamping members, a plurality of sliding pavvls or dogs carried by said post in said slot in such a manner that portions of the Wall thereof form stops to limit the movement of said paWls or dogs toward their operative position, a casing secured tol the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

8. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a slot at the lower end thereof attached to one of said clamping members, a plurality of sliding pawls or dogs carried by said post in said slot, a stop member secured to said post in said slot and having portions thereof adapted to form stops to limit the movement of said pawls or dogs toward their operative position, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members, and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

9. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein, said recess having portions of the Walls thereof formed at angles With the center line of the post and having portions of said Walls adapted to form stops, a plurality of sliding paWls or dogs carried by said posts in said recess and adapted to engage said angular Walls thereof and to have the movement thereof limited by said stops, a casing secured to the other of said members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

10. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members and having a slot therein, a stop member secured to said post in said slot and having portions thereof formed at angles With the center line of the post and having portions thereof adapted to form stops, a plurality of sliding paWls or dogs carried by said post in said slot and adapted to engage said angular portions of said stop member and to have the movement thereof limited by said stops, a casing secured to the other of said members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

11. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein attached to one of said clamping members, a sliding paWl or dog carried by said post in said recess in such a manner that a portion of the Wall of said recess forms a stop to limit the movement of said paWl or dog toward its operative position, a casing having a serrated inner surface secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

12. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein attached to one of said clamping members, a sliding pawl or dog carried by said post in said recess in such a manner that a portion of the Wall of said recess forms a stop to limit the movement of said paWl or dog toward its operative position, a casing having a threaded inner surface secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, means for rotating said post in said casing, substantially as described.

13. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein, said recess having a Wall thereof formed at an angle With the center line of the post, a guide located in said recess, a sliding pavvl or dog carried by said post in said recess and adapted to have the movement thereof toward its operative position controlled by said angular Wall and guide so that said paWl Will engage the inner surface of a casing When the members are in the position and Will be moved by gravity into an inoperative position When the position of the members is reversed, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to IOO telescope over said post, substantially as described.

14. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein, said recess having an inclined portion forming a wall thereof, a pin forming a guide located in said recess, a sliding pawl or dog carried by said post in said recess and adapted to have the movement thereof controlled by a slot therein engaging said pin and by a portion thereof adapted to engage said inclined portion of said wall so that said pawl will engage the inner surface of a casing when the members are in one position and will be moved by gravity into an inoperative position when the position of the members is reversed, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

15. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post having a recess therein, said recess having portions of a wall thereof inclined to the center line of the post, a pin forming a guide located in said recess a pair of sliding pawls or dogs carried by said post in said recess, said pawls having a slot therein adapted to engage said pin and having a portion thereof adapted to engage said inclined portions of the wall of said recess so that the pawl will engage the inner surface of a casing when the members are in one position and will be moved by gravity into an inoperative position when the position of the members is reversed, a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post, substantially as described.

16. In a binder, the combination of a pair of clamping members, a post attached to one of said clamping members, a pin forming a guide carried by said post, a plurality of pawls or dogs each having slots therein adapted to engage said pin and to be guided thereby into an operative position when the members are in one position and into an inoperative position when the members are reversed, and a casing secured to the other of said clamping members and adapted to telescope over said post.

17. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, a stop carried by one of said members, and a plurality of pawls or dogs each adapted to engage said stop to limit the movement thereof toward their operative position.

18. In a binder-lock, in combination, a pair of telescoping members, a pin carried by one of said members, and a plurality of pawls or dogs each having a slot therein, said slot being adapted to engage said pin to limit the movement of said pawls or dogs toward their operative position.

Signed at New York, in the county of New York and State of New York, this 28th day of June, A. D. 1905.

FREDERICK A. CLEVELAND.

Witnesses:

LEWIS J. DooLrTTLE, ALBERT T. JOHNSTON, Jr. 

